Why is it –every time I turned around this summer, staring me right in the face was a black male wearing the Mohawk Hair Cut?    I saw this resurrected trend on young black males on the streets of NYC and all types of grown men in the arts.  In particular, I saw the look on artists, writers, editors, musicians and DJ’s and on our very own, Uptownlife.net’s Editor-n-Chief, SekouWrites.  And by the way, black women have been wearing a short relaxed version of the Mohawk for the past three years.  It was all the rage in Brooklyn!!

I’ve seen so many variations of the Mohawk this season, originally worn by Native American Indians, so much so, that I can truely say, “When is this style going to pass?”  Native American warriors wore this style with severe skin-clean sides and a thick strip of hair running down the center of the head from front to the nape of the neck. We also saw Diddy with a very close interpretation a few years ago when he ran the marathon in NYC.  Now in 2008 this look is softer, faded on the sides and sometimes with a landing strip running from the front of the head to the nape of the neck or just from the front of the head to the top crown.  And our Asian, Latino and White brothers like Robin Thick wears the Mohawk-like cut with a flipped-up bang and a little mound of hair at the top middle crown.  I’ve even seen this look on young white corporate men on the Metro North train as well.

What does this really say about the times we are enduring right now?  With inflation and a recession at the same time; higher gas prices, foreclosures and food prices sky high, are our men displaying their Warrior Spirit and Mohawk Look because we are in benevolent times?  Or is this LOOK simply just a trend?  I hear our African brothers in Italy are wearing the Shag now!  Is that coming back too?? Oh My Goodness!

If you watched the Democratic National Convention on Monday night, you saw an articulate, intelligent, compassionate, attorney, mother, wife and elegant fashionista!  That would be our next ‘First Lady’  Mrs. Michelle Obama.

I watched her intently as she gave us her all in her welcome speech.  She brought tears to my eyes, to see a women of color standing strong and tall, and representing the best of what we all can acheive in this here United States of America.  And when I say, “Women of Color“, I mean just that.  A women with brown skin and not the typical blonde hair, light skin woman that is always portrayed on television and movies to represent the black woman.

Photo: John Moore/Getty Images

Michelle Obama, Barack(the President) and there lovely daughters were also featured in Essence this month.  And I must also compliment the stylist who created her new hair style.  Healthy, fuller modern and chic.  Just a simple upgrade to her already healthy hair.  She carried off this style on the first night of the convention, followed by a simple side-swept chignon on Tuesday night.

Tune into the rest of the convention as I’m sure Michelle Obama will continue to bring us her all!  And get out there and VOTE!!! It really is going to take the entire villiage to get this new change going!

You must see AIM, a new and cozy makeup boutique located on West 135th Street in Harlem.  I discoverd Art in Motion Cosmetics on Harlem Day, 2008.  AIM is cleverly designed as a cute powder room boudoir, painted in different shades of salmon and pink with an exquisite dangling chandelier.  It also includes, a scoop makeup bar stool facing an antique mounted mirror for makeup application and a soft white cushiony bench for your comfort.

Kimberly Watkins is the proud owner and founder of AIM and is a native of Chicago with over 12 years of makeup artistry under her belt.  She’s extremely passionate about beauty and cosmetics and her burning desire to explore and teach women about makeup led her to first pursue a career with Clinique and MAC Cosmetics and then moved to New York City and opened up this fabulous boutique!

 Ms. Watkins has been featured in Allure Magazine, Chicago’s ABC 7 Morning Show, ‘Spring Trends’ and has worked her artistry for fashion shows with Ralph Lauren and Jill Saunders.  She boasts a cliental of socialites, including actress Anna Deavere Smith. 

AIM  Cosmetics provides a full line of custom blend mineral makeup with full coverage in one easy application.  Plus, AIM offers services including eyebrow tinting, eyelash extensions, makeup lessons, photo shoots and much more!

Kimberly declares, “I want to be able to show every woman how to create any look, whether it’s high fashion or a professional look for the office.  I’m passionate about offering a full beauty experience.”  AIM is located at 236 West 135th Street, Harlem, NY.  To book a personal consultation  or makeup seesion with Kimberly Watkins just call 212 234 3392.      

Vol. 4

As summer ‘08 comes to a speedy closure and the hint of fall lingers in the air, you should prepare for less humidity available to moisturize your tresses and for less curl dousing on a daily basis.  While soaking your hair more than three times a week might be fine in the hot weather, such a routine might in fact, dry out your luscious curls and do more harm than good.  Instead, look to conditioning products and reviving mists to take the place of the lack of natural moisture in the air that  coily curls thirst for during the hot summer months.

This month we start Monthly Beauty Tips & Tidbits and since I’ve been getting so many daily hits on my ‘Scent of a Man’ post, Textured Beauty will now, also feature a monthly section just for MEN.  

Tips & Tidbits

1.  For best results in the fall months, adjust your curl routine to once or twice a week.  The less you soak your hair the less chance of your hair drying out, as well as you catching a fall cold during the transition months.

2.  Before you enhance your curls with your favorite curly defining product, always protect your tresses with a light conditioning balm that will infuse moisture, hydration and protect from the harshness of curl ehancing cremes that contain wheat protein or curl hardening ingredients.  Try PhytoBalm as a leave-in conditioner or quick light conditioner - after shampoos.

3.  Instead of soaking your curls everyday, transition with PhytoMist as you adjust to a twice weekly routine.  Reactivate the curl enhancing product that you applied previously by misting daily with PhytoMist and retain long lasting fresh curls and moisture for your textured look!  Lightly wetting your hair only once or twice a week to remove extra build up is fine, then reapply light leave-in and curl enhancing products.  Thereafter, once a week continue your curly regime after you completely shampoo and deep condition.   Also, try a flat-twist set step-by-step in Textured Tresses : How To Acheive Section for a great transitional style.

Dare I say, I ventured out to 135th Street for Harlem Day on a late Sunday afternoon, August 17, 2008 looking for what was new in Harlem!  Yes, we all know that Harlem is the New Renaissance, but really, “What else is new in Harlem?”  Other than, now four Starbucks, the W Hotel coming to 124th Street and Million Dollar Condominiums…all my favorite things.

Harlem Day, ran deep with loud music provided by 98.7 Kiss FM and artists like Krs-1, Christopher Williams and a few more.  Lots of folks from Morningside to 5th avenue.  Lot’s of vendors hustling to make that almighty dollar.  One guy screamed out to the crowd….”T’shirts, I got the Butter Ya’ll”.  Ooh Lordie!!

I was looking for anything new and exciting ….just a few things caught my Beautifying Eye!!

I found a T-shirt designer with beautifully hand crafted T’s with multi-textured, tie dye shirts embossed with rhinestones.  All the great DIVA’s images were printed on the T’s like, Diana Ross, Billie Holiday, and Donna Summer all in differnt fushia, blue and grey backgrounds.  That was definately different and new!

I also found this wonderful cozy new makeup boutique called AIM Cosmetics that opened up about one year ago.  Kimberly Watkins custom blends her own line of makeup with full makeup application and eye lashes too!  You’re gonna hear more about this Celebrity Makeup Artist on Textured Beauty with a feature profile.

And what I really loved was…, I ran into an old friend from my Turninng Heads Days…might I say, this man was as gorgeous as ever with the smoothest skin and groomed appearance.  All grown and sexy and no more locks! They say men get better with age and it’s so true.  Hmm Hmm Good!! 

Let’s back track for a minute….The lovely ladies from Time Hair Gallery in Chicago took on the brave task of joining the American Beauty Tour’s creative team and transformed four lovely ladies for their total makeovers.   Little did the contest winners know— they had some of the best in the business styling them for the kick off event held at the Univerisity of Chicago.  The winners were in awe and amazement after the girls completed their finishing touches…Sexy in the City.  Yes Indeed!!

Michael Hellerman of The Jane Carter Solutions introduced us to Kenyon Hall, owner and Creative Director of Time Hair Gallery located in the newly renovated West Side of Chicago, just in the nick of time.   In May we were still without a styling team on board and Kenyon was gracious enough to come on board in the final hour.  Zetta Cox, one of our Vibe.com winners is shown below with before and after pictures along with the entire styling crew prepping, primping and adding their finishing touches to all the winners for the final glam makeovers. 

You can contact Time Hair Gallery at 943 West Randolph st.  #2w , Chicago Illinois 60607  ph. 312 421 5097 

BECCA Cosmetic’s Lynne Furge giving some makeup advice to Tamala as she gets her final touch.

Zetta Cox Before 

Time Hair Gallery’s Styling Team prepping all the ladies at the salon.

Kenyon Hall, blowing out Joi Roberts before she is cut, curled and styled

So…I’ve decided it’s time to bring a little more video technology to Textured Beauty.  I’ve asked the good folks at Uptownlife.net to put together a fabulous video webcast of the NYC American Beauty Tour –Glam Makeovers of several contest winners, the behind the scene interviews and a sneak peak of the panel discussion.  Get ready to view the American Beauty Tour Makeover real soon!!

In the mean time….check out the fab makeovers created on the lovely Julissa Bermudez and Pat Nares, the Latina contest winner here.

And btw have you seen Ms. Bermudez’s new look on the MTV pre-show, America’s Best Dance Crew?  Hair compliments of yours truly….

Julissa Bermudez captured at Annual Art For Life Benefit Gala at Russell Simmons’ East Hampton Estate on Saturday, July 19, 2008 in East Hampton, NY by (Photo by Steve Mack/S.D. Mack Pictures) and reported on The Quest for ‘It’!  by Tia Walker

Have you ever noticed that women from Texas love their hair big and very extra.  My girl ‘Beyonce’ wears her textured tresses in various styles from long and silky straight to smooth and wavy to big with lustrious curls.   Texas women are now sporting their natural do’s proudly too! 

 The American Beauty Tour hit Austin Texas in June and Danny Smith, our stylist of choice is tackling naturally curly heads one head at a time.  Danny pumped out complimentary glam makeovers on three contest winners - Michelle Epps, Tysha Jones and Zenobia Sneed with color, cut and natural set styles.   PhytoSpecific Beauty Relaxer system is also a favorite of Danny’s for softening, relaxing and  texturizing to create soft, loose curls for more manageablitiy.   He used  PhytoSpecific Shampoo & Conditioners to restore the girls tendrils to a healthy happy state.

Michelle Epps, our Naturallycurly.com winner was recently treated to a Day of Beauty at ‘As You Like It, Agnes Salon’.  Danny created coily curls described in Chapter 10 of TEXTURED TRESSES, after coloring Michelle’s hair with a light aurburn glow, cleansing and conditioning with PhytoSpecific Intense Nutrition Shampoo & Intense Mask.

Michelle usually wears her hair fuss-free, naturally big and loose.  For a more stylized look- Danny’s twisty coils are a perfect alternative to Michelle’s beautiful curly style.  Michelle can’t stop raving about the color and style she received since her visit to the salon… NOW Michelle has options.  All three girls received makeovers from Danny and giftsbaskets from BECCA Cosmetics, The Jane Carter Solutions and PhytoSpecific Hair Care with a Textured Tresses Book.   The ladies can now choose from a variety of natural sets to maintain their new Glam Looks!  

Check out Michelle’s before /after:

Michelle with big fabulous natural curls!

 After with color and more conservative coily twist!

Kissable Lips are on the agenda today.  The Good Book says, “Greet your fellow christian with a holy kiss.”  So why not add a fresh NEW LIP GLOSS to go along with that kiss?

Lip glosses made from all natural ingredients are now available in delicious fruity fragrances that also sparkle and shimmer.  Plus, come in an assortment of colors and textures for the Fall.  Look out for bright coppers to bronzy browns that glitter to plump up your lips. 

Carol’s Daughter - ‘Just Fine’ Candy Paint

Candy Paint, created by CEO Lisa Price is the first line of makeup in the CD beauty empire.  This distinctive, natural collection of sexy, high-shine, treatment lip glosses glide on smoothly to deliver luxurious color. Candy Paint hydrates, smooths, protect your lips and doesn’t contain any petroleum, mineral oil or parabens. Made with love, Candy Paint is infused with natural ingredients such as grapeseed oil, shea butter, aloe vera extract and vitamin E.   A portion of the proceeds also benefit the Lupus Foundation.  Sold at Sephora and Carol’s Daughter.

Peacekeeper Cause-Metics 

PeaceKeeper™ Lip Glosses are an all natural, sexy and sheer, mineral lip glaze.  Three of the lip glazes are specifically named after and benefit a worthy cause.  This ultra-moisturizing treat for the lips, are packed with Shea Butter, Carnauba wax and Vanilla extracts.  Looks great on all skin tones and features a soft, creamy texture that won’t clump.  Ideal for the modern woman who wants to ‘Look good while doing good!’   Available in five shades online, Peacekeeper Cause-Metics.

Yves Rocher France - Luminelle Deligloss

One of the world leaders in botanical beauty care, Yves Rocher creates an Luminelle Deligloss,  an ultra-shiny gloss with sparkling shimmer.  This company was founded over 40 years ago by Yves Rocher.  The company thanks advancements in plant biology that it is able to select and formulate from over 150 active plant ingredients and botanical complexes to create botanical-based beauty care products.  Luminelle Deligloss  is available in three shades and delicious fruity fragrances, Orange acidulé, Rose à croquer and Rouge framboise .  Available on Yvesrochereusa.com

KISSES To YOU!!

Courtesy of Caron Paris/ Ales Group

Vol. 3

This week I thought I would dedicate grooming tips for the fellas.  Yes ladies! That certain distinquished ‘Scent of a Man’ can turn you off or on during the dating process.  So take notice ladies!  The very special scent of your man is delightful, so compliment him if you love the fragrance that is drawing you –into him.

GROOMING TIPS & TIDBITS

Gentlemen, a seasonal change in your fragrance is an awesome way to update or modify your personal style & look!  When choosing a new cologne take into consideration that the fragrance should match your characteristics and personality.  Scents that include vanilla and cinnamon are know to be aphrodisiacs.  Many common aromatic notes in designer fragrances include sandlewood, mandarian bay, bergamont, musk and violet leaf.

Look out for these fragrances:

Caron Paris, ‘Pour Un Homme’ - This fresh, classic and distinctive fragrance was created in 1934 by Mr. Ernest Daltroff – the first fragance ever for man.  Pour Un Homme, made with absolute lavender and essences of lavender was immediately embraced by men, since Pour Un Homme was made exclusively for them.  The fragrance became one of the best selling eau de toilette of its time and today still remains Caron’s best selling fragrance.  Pour Un Homme  is also available in lavender/vanilla and musk amber.   Sold exclusivlely at Caron Paris Boutique located at PhytoUniverse, NYC, also available in NYC at  Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendal and select Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

John Varvatos ‘Vintage’
This sensual, masculine fragrance is classic, distinctive and smooth.  John creates an aromatic fragrance with Moroccan coastal plants, laced with spicy fruits, cinnamon tree leaves, pepper, lush florals, smooth woods, and Turkish tobacco. Vintage’s scent is truly a fragrance to remember.  Aromatic notes included in this fragrance are Marine Fennel, Cubeb Peppers, Juniper Berries, White Lavender, Cinnamon Tree Leaves, Jasmine, Orris Root, Patchouli, Oak Moss, Fir Balsam, Ashwood, Tonka Beans, Tobacco Leaf,Madras Wood and Suede Accents.  Sold at major department stores, designer’s flagship store and Sephora.

USHER  - The signature fragrance for men was created last winter by mega recording artist himself and is fresh,  distinctive and has a sensual style.   Also availabe in a fragrance for women.  USHER draws upon his own sense of style and creates a fragrance for men that is stylist, classic and modern.  The aromatic notes included in this fragrance are Verbena, Pineapple, Melon, Blue Lavender, White Pepper, Violet Leaf, Vetiver, Amber Wood, Black Suede, Sandalwood, Sensual Musk and Guaiac Wood.  Sold at major department stores and Sephora.

Enjoy !